From Brian Keogh in Detroit

Sergio Garcia became nothing more than a "bit player" for Padraig Harrington at Oakland Hills.

The Spanish wonderkid ended up running off for a toilet break on the 18th as Harrington snatched the US PGA with a sensational closing 66.

And Harrington revealed that he was thinking more about Ben Curtis than El Nino when he stood over his 15-foot par putt on the 18th to win the title.

Fearing a closing bogey would give Curtis a shot at a play-off if he could birdie the last, Harrington said: "Sergio became insignificant at the 18th. Despite the day he was having, he came down to a bit player at the end.

"When I stood over those last three putts on the 16th, 17th and 18th, I wasn?t thinking about anything except holing the putt.

"I knew as I stood over that putt on the last, if I hole it, I win. If I don?t, I could end up in a playoff.

"I may still win but I?d have lost control. That putt was to stay in control. Sergio became insignificant. On the 18th hole I was holing that putt to beat Ben Curtis. He was the man I was competing with. Garcia wasn?t part of the tournament there."

Garcia turned away quickly as he shook hands with Harrington on the 72nd green and didn't mention the Dubliner once by name in his post tournament interview.

But joint runner up Curtis was full of admiration for Harrington's achievement, despite his disappointment

Curtis said: "The way Padraig played was pretty unbelievable. Those two guys up front were making birdies and you could hear the crowd all day.

"He's won three out of the last six Majors that we played. That's Tiger-like right there. I mean, if he keeps up the way he's been playing lately, and the way he's played in those Majors, I wouldn't say, watch out, Jack; but I mean, he's playing pretty impressive golf."

"Obviously he knows how to win. He's not afraid to win. And that's what it takes."